Riya Behl is a researcher, artist and communications specialist, with an MA in Power, Participation and Social Change from the Institute of Development Studies in the UK.
She has previously reported and edited multimedia feature stories for the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), an open-access, award-winning, digital journalism platform.
Currently, she works as Strategic Associate to the Director General at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), runs Zinedabaad Collective, and occasionally takes on value-aligned projects.
Contact her at riyabehl05@gmail.com if you're looking for an anthropologist with an eye for design.
In the Media
On track to transform urban spaces
A collective of inter-disciplinary creatives has been actively working with Delhiites to redefine the city and create more inclusive and accessible public spaces
Zine culture is booming in India right now. These are the 5 coolest makers to follow
What’s brewing in India’s zine scene
Folding in: A Conversation with Zinedabaad Collective
On Joy, Artistic Expression, and Building Community through Zines
Talking taboo in 'zine' language in Goa
Zines were popularised by the queer community and feminist movements, at a time when one couldn’t discuss them in any public forum
Resistance zine-dabaad
A collective gets people to handcraft their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in the form of zines, busting misinformation along the way
Are gender-neutral washrooms the way forward for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in India?
To understand why gender-neutral restrooms exist and how they can be an essential space for the queer community, it’s important to understand what defines a gender-neutral washroom. Any public washroom that isn’t marked specifically for male or female (he or she), and either has a distinct sign that says it can be used by any gender or doesn’t mention gender at all, can qualify as a gender-neutral bathroom.
5 Homegrown Zine Collectives Shaping An Inclusive Community For Art, Dialogue & Dissent
Zinedabaad, the online zine-making collective is popular for its zine-making workshops which were conducted even throughout the lockdown.
Zine Artists Zinedabaad
Brimming with the creativity of self-expression, pocket-sized zines are becoming popular amongst various communities
Dive Into Art, Culture, Music, & More At The Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 In Goa
For those inclined towards participatory involvement, the Festival hosts "Meet Me in the Kitchen?"—a zine-making workshop led by the dynamic Zinedabaad Collective. This inclusive workshop invites individuals to explore the concept of kitchens in their lives, weaving personal narratives into collaborative zines.
The Power Of Youth
Two Young Students Are Bringing Social Change Through Photography
A food lover’s guide to the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa
Workshops by Zinedabaad Collective (a group that makes zines, hosts workshops and creates pop-up libraries) encourage people to think about their relationship with food, with the help of zines.
Go Colors launches ‘MostlySane Collection’ Campaign with Prajakta Koli
Riya Behl acting in Go Colors' advertisement with Prajakta Koli
Connections and communities: How art festivals benefit creators and entrepreneurs
In our final photo essay from the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, we share more artistic highlights and perspectives on impact.
March Monthly Round
March has fallen upon us, which means the entire subcontinent is now participating in the theatricality that is the Indian Summer—anticipating monsoon, dramatising the warming climate, exasperations of “it’s so hot,” and sweat pouring from every pore. But you know what can bring relief? The coolness of a theatre, stories that take us away from reality, the excited buzz of an audience just before the lights go down… it’s showtime.
On track to transform urban spaces
A collective of inter-disciplinary creatives has been actively working with Delhiites to redefine the city and create more inclusive and accessible public spaces
Are gender-neutral washrooms the way forward for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in India?
To understand why gender-neutral restrooms exist and how they can be an essential space for the queer community, it’s important to understand what defines a gender-neutral washroom. Any public washroom that isn’t marked specifically for male or female (he or she), and either has a distinct sign that says it can be used by any gender or doesn’t mention gender at all, can qualify as a gender-neutral bathroom.
A food lover’s guide to the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa
Workshops by Zinedabaad Collective (a group that makes zines, hosts workshops and creates pop-up libraries) encourage people to think about their relationship with food, with the help of zines.
Zine culture is booming in India right now. These are the 5 coolest makers to follow
What’s brewing in India’s zine scene
5 Homegrown Zine Collectives Shaping An Inclusive Community For Art, Dialogue & Dissent
Zinedabaad, the online zine-making collective is popular for its zine-making workshops which were conducted even throughout the lockdown.
Go Colors launches ‘MostlySane Collection’ Campaign with Prajakta Koli
Riya Behl acting in Go Colors' advertisement with Prajakta Koli
Folding in: A Conversation with Zinedabaad Collective
On Joy, Artistic Expression, and Building Community through Zines
Zine Artists Zinedabaad
Brimming with the creativity of self-expression, pocket-sized zines are becoming popular amongst various communities
Connections and communities: How art festivals benefit creators and entrepreneurs
In our final photo essay from the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, we share more artistic highlights and perspectives on impact.
Talking taboo in 'zine' language in Goa
Zines were popularised by the queer community and feminist movements, at a time when one couldn’t discuss them in any public forum
Dive Into Art, Culture, Music, & More At The Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 In Goa
For those inclined towards participatory involvement, the Festival hosts "Meet Me in the Kitchen?"—a zine-making workshop led by the dynamic Zinedabaad Collective. This inclusive workshop invites individuals to explore the concept of kitchens in their lives, weaving personal narratives into collaborative zines.
March Monthly Round
March has fallen upon us, which means the entire subcontinent is now participating in the theatricality that is the Indian Summer—anticipating monsoon, dramatising the warming climate, exasperations of “it’s so hot,” and sweat pouring from every pore. But you know what can bring relief? The coolness of a theatre, stories that take us away from reality, the excited buzz of an audience just before the lights go down… it’s showtime.
Resistance zine-dabaad
A collective gets people to handcraft their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in the form of zines, busting misinformation along the way
The Power Of Youth
Two Young Students Are Bringing Social Change Through Photography
On track to transform urban spaces
A collective of inter-disciplinary creatives has been actively working with Delhiites to redefine the city and create more inclusive and accessible public spaces
5 Homegrown Zine Collectives Shaping An Inclusive Community For Art, Dialogue & Dissent
Zinedabaad, the online zine-making collective is popular for its zine-making workshops which were conducted even throughout the lockdown.
Connections and communities: How art festivals benefit creators and entrepreneurs
In our final photo essay from the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, we share more artistic highlights and perspectives on impact.
Resistance zine-dabaad
A collective gets people to handcraft their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in the form of zines, busting misinformation along the way
Are gender-neutral washrooms the way forward for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in India?
To understand why gender-neutral restrooms exist and how they can be an essential space for the queer community, it’s important to understand what defines a gender-neutral washroom. Any public washroom that isn’t marked specifically for male or female (he or she), and either has a distinct sign that says it can be used by any gender or doesn’t mention gender at all, can qualify as a gender-neutral bathroom.
Go Colors launches ‘MostlySane Collection’ Campaign with Prajakta Koli
Riya Behl acting in Go Colors' advertisement with Prajakta Koli
Talking taboo in 'zine' language in Goa
Zines were popularised by the queer community and feminist movements, at a time when one couldn’t discuss them in any public forum
The Power Of Youth
Two Young Students Are Bringing Social Change Through Photography
A food lover’s guide to the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa
Workshops by Zinedabaad Collective (a group that makes zines, hosts workshops and creates pop-up libraries) encourage people to think about their relationship with food, with the help of zines.
Folding in: A Conversation with Zinedabaad Collective
On Joy, Artistic Expression, and Building Community through Zines
Dive Into Art, Culture, Music, & More At The Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 In Goa
For those inclined towards participatory involvement, the Festival hosts "Meet Me in the Kitchen?"—a zine-making workshop led by the dynamic Zinedabaad Collective. This inclusive workshop invites individuals to explore the concept of kitchens in their lives, weaving personal narratives into collaborative zines.
Zine culture is booming in India right now. These are the 5 coolest makers to follow
What’s brewing in India’s zine scene
Zine Artists Zinedabaad
Brimming with the creativity of self-expression, pocket-sized zines are becoming popular amongst various communities
March Monthly Round
March has fallen upon us, which means the entire subcontinent is now participating in the theatricality that is the Indian Summer—anticipating monsoon, dramatising the warming climate, exasperations of “it’s so hot,” and sweat pouring from every pore. But you know what can bring relief? The coolness of a theatre, stories that take us away from reality, the excited buzz of an audience just before the lights go down… it’s showtime.
On track to transform urban spaces
A collective of inter-disciplinary creatives has been actively working with Delhiites to redefine the city and create more inclusive and accessible public spaces
A food lover’s guide to the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa
Workshops by Zinedabaad Collective (a group that makes zines, hosts workshops and creates pop-up libraries) encourage people to think about their relationship with food, with the help of zines.
5 Homegrown Zine Collectives Shaping An Inclusive Community For Art, Dialogue & Dissent
Zinedabaad, the online zine-making collective is popular for its zine-making workshops which were conducted even throughout the lockdown.
Folding in: A Conversation with Zinedabaad Collective
On Joy, Artistic Expression, and Building Community through Zines
Connections and communities: How art festivals benefit creators and entrepreneurs
In our final photo essay from the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, we share more artistic highlights and perspectives on impact.
Dive Into Art, Culture, Music, & More At The Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 In Goa
For those inclined towards participatory involvement, the Festival hosts "Meet Me in the Kitchen?"—a zine-making workshop led by the dynamic Zinedabaad Collective. This inclusive workshop invites individuals to explore the concept of kitchens in their lives, weaving personal narratives into collaborative zines.
Resistance zine-dabaad
A collective gets people to handcraft their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in the form of zines, busting misinformation along the way
Are gender-neutral washrooms the way forward for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in India?
To understand why gender-neutral restrooms exist and how they can be an essential space for the queer community, it’s important to understand what defines a gender-neutral washroom. Any public washroom that isn’t marked specifically for male or female (he or she), and either has a distinct sign that says it can be used by any gender or doesn’t mention gender at all, can qualify as a gender-neutral bathroom.
Zine culture is booming in India right now. These are the 5 coolest makers to follow
What’s brewing in India’s zine scene
Go Colors launches ‘MostlySane Collection’ Campaign with Prajakta Koli
Riya Behl acting in Go Colors' advertisement with Prajakta Koli
Zine Artists Zinedabaad
Brimming with the creativity of self-expression, pocket-sized zines are becoming popular amongst various communities
Talking taboo in 'zine' language in Goa
Zines were popularised by the queer community and feminist movements, at a time when one couldn’t discuss them in any public forum
March Monthly Round
March has fallen upon us, which means the entire subcontinent is now participating in the theatricality that is the Indian Summer—anticipating monsoon, dramatising the warming climate, exasperations of “it’s so hot,” and sweat pouring from every pore. But you know what can bring relief? The coolness of a theatre, stories that take us away from reality, the excited buzz of an audience just before the lights go down… it’s showtime.
The Power Of Youth
Two Young Students Are Bringing Social Change Through Photography
